An elderly motorist has had his driving licence revoked - after it emerged he could only read a number plate from one metre (39 inches) away.

The 79-year-old's Mitsubishi Shogun 4x4 was in a crash with a parked lorry on the A26 Eridge Road near Crowborough, East Sussex, last month.

After escaping with minor injuries, Sussex Police said the pensioner underwent an eyesight test - and left officers "shocked" by his inability to read a number plate at a distance.

Sergeant Dan Pitcher, of the East Sussex road policing unit, said: "He was only able to clearly read a number plate at a distance of just one metre, or 39 inches.

"The law says you must be able to read a number plate at 20.5 metres for an old-style plate, or 20 metres for a new-style one.

"As a result, the gentleman's driving licence was immediately revoked by the DVLA and he is no longer allowed behind the wheel."

The pensioner, who has not been named, was cut free from his vehicle and attended Pembury Hospital in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The lorry driver was unhurt.

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